A Gold Star Day

We spent our first weekend in England up in The North, also known as the Midlands, also known as The Black Country (beacuse of coal mining) in the town of Adam's family roots, Stourbridge.

We visited with Adam's Nan Partridge and Uncle Tony on Saturday and on Sunday we took in some of the sights and PIES! of the area.
Our first stop was at the Batch Locks where we saw some original working locks for raising and lowering canal boats in areas of significant elevation change.

First the boats cue up...

Then they close the lock to fill the compartment with water...

Then you bring your boat in and close the gate behind you...

Then you release the water allowing your boat to lower to the level of the next lock...

Then you are on your way!

We were then on our way to Mad O'Roarke's Pie Factory where Mommy and Daddy had some

yummy Steak and Ale pies and John went crazy with some sweet potatoes - oh yes, and a napkin hat.

Indeed, a gold star day all around.